Microsoft has stated that it may have intellectual property claims on two important pieces of the OpenGL standard. OpenGL stands for Open Graphics Language, and it was created in 1992 to give the industry a standard API for programming 2D and 3D graphics. Microsoft has developed its own competing standard for graphics called DirectX, which works only on Windows platforms. Games programmed for Windows can use DirectX or OpenGL, but other platforms depend on OpenGL.

In January 2002, Microsoft purchased a major chunk of intellectual property from SGI for over US$62 million. A couple months later in March, in a possibly related incident, Microsoft stated to the OpenGL Architectural Review Board (ARB) that it may have claims on the technology used to control 3D lighting effects, or vertex programming. At the most recent ARB meeting in July, Microsoft has now stated that it could have claims on fragment shading, another 3D lighting technology.

Just the fact that Microsoft may have claims on such normally “open” 3D technology may not be troubling by itself. In fact, other companies may have claims on other technology in the OpenGL standard, but they have so far chosen to forgo those claims so that OpenGL can remain a royalty-free standard.

Microsoft's full position on this is still unclear. At the moment, it is looking for some sort of intellectual property exchange on a 1:1 basis with other companies that are using OpenGL. This makes it uncertain what new companies entering markets that require the use of OpenGL would have to offer Microsoft.

Read more on the latest OpenGL worries at ZDNet. Thanks to Captain Nemo for the link.

ROB'S OPINION
These latest attempts by Microsoft to acquire rights to more intellectual property are puzzling. Is Microsoft simply trying to compile enough IP property rights so that it owns every single piece of technology in Windows? A more sinister take could be that MS wants to use its IP not just to protect itself, but to lock out competitors.

Could Microsoft buy the rights to more OpenGL technology? I'm sure it could, as it has lots of cash in reserve. Perhaps someday it will be a “do it with DirectX or pay up” strategy that Microsoft will apply to graphics card makers and game developers. Right now, you can make OpenGL games without a Microsoft license. I imagine that Microsoft sees an opportunity to turn 95%+ of the PC platform into a group that can only run “licensed” 3D software, with that license being a cash tribute to Microsoft. Blame Microsoft's entry into the Xbox market for that idea.

USER COMMENTS 55 comment(s)

OpenGL renamed ClosedGL(9:05am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)I hope the OpenGL API will still be open that it could be reversed engineered and remain license free, or else it should be renamed ClosedGL.Past graphics acquistion of SoftImage was a failure for Microsoft. They sold it to Avid. - by no ClosedGL

first of many such maneuvers(9:12am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)I see this move as part of Microsoft's effort to squash Open Source. Remember, they consider the “virus-like” GPL to be a very dangerous threat to their bottom line.

This is just the beginning. Expect to see a lot of maneuvers like this from MS and they do everything within their power to wreck Open Source / GPL.

- by mike

MicroMonopoly!(9:19am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)Another example of anti-competitive practices. Eliminate the only competition, or buy into it and run it into the ground.

Thanks Micro$oft! - by ReaponWex

Won't matter(11:05am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)According to the guidelines of the OpenGL ARB, all intellectual property which is given over as part of proposals for OpenGL must be made freely available to all members. So whether Microsoft now owns parts or not makes no difference whatsoever. If they should ever decide to charge for the IP, they'll be facing a simple-to-prove court case, much like the one Rambus recently lost. - by Belandrew

Should clear some things up(11:22am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)For one thing, there is basic OpenGL which gives you low level access to vector functions, textures, basic lighting, everything you need to generate a basic 3D scene. Then there is speciallized OpenGL which make use of fancy video card features. It should be noted that this specialized OpenGL is not really open, as not every graphics card supports these features , so there are different versions of OpenGL extensions that support different video cards.

What Microsoft is fighting is the intelectual property by opengl extensions that enable or support some high level 3D graphics technology. These are not features covered by basic OpenGL.

Microsoft has been aggressively developing DirectX to make use of fancy 3D technology when it becomes available on new 3D video cards, and in many cases, it was a DirectX 3D technology that spurred development of a video card that enables the hardware acceleration of the feature. Hardware accelerated T&L is a direct result of the feature being added to DirectX. Most of the next generation video cards being developed today are using features of DirectX 9 as a basis for their hardware features.

Before jumping on Microsoft, realize that the basic OpenGL is not being targetted here, so their is no need to assume Microsoft is looking to buy out OpenGL, or end its use, or force royalties and licensing on it. What Microsoft is doing is realizing that many OpenGL extensions have been developed to duplicate DirectX features, which Microsoft holds intellectual copyrights for.

OpenGL is still deeply embedded in open source platforms, and I really doubt there is little Microsoft can do to stop this, but when OpenGL extensions are developed to dupliate technology designed for and developed by Microsoft (or whatever company they bought to own it), they have a right to protect their property.

It may not be a politically correct move on their part, but you should realized what is going on here rather then assuming too much. - by Topher

Belandrew has it 70% right ,,,(11:45am EST Fri Jul 12 2002)The legal authority for OpenGL will have to prove that either the SGI claim is invalid (ie. someone else invented the technology first) or that OpenGL was granted the rights to use the IP through some “legal authority” for SGI. We can assume that the former is not true (otherwise this would be a non story). But the second point could be very difficult to prove. It is highly probable that the IP was submitted to OpenGL by someone how did not have the legal authority to do so. Or that the authority was granted with no real documented proof that it was ever granted. The SGI officers that sold the company assets to Microsoft will most likely deny that any such authority was granted, otherwise Microsoft could come back and sue them for miss representing SGI assets at the time of the sale. So unless OpenGL can pull out some pretty fancy legal documents (like a letter from a former SGI officer) that show that SGI granted them free use under the OpenGL ARB, Microsoft will win.

But I still think it is really, really stupid for Microshit to be pulling this crap at this time. It just adds more fuel to all those anti-trust cases. - by LaughALot

Microcrap…(12:11pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)MS buying up OpenGL rights, plus with Longhorn, Palladium and along with the Intel, AMD security chip, MS will try and totally control Wintel PC's. No thanks. Maybe I'll get a Mac for my next computer. - by me

The Answer is GUN CONTROL(12:39pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)I am sure if we could just impose more laws on the freedoms of our citizenry…. oh wait… brainwashing wearing off… no… ahhhhh… answer to all problems… gun control is our savior from microsoft….ahhh….gurgle…. - by Dale Gribble

TOO LATE(12:47pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)People are not getting it about MS. MS will control your PC and the future is very bad indeed for the digital age as we are now entering into a digital dark age where everything will be controled or owned in some way by MS. In 20 years you will have to pay MS just to turn your computer on – its coming sooner then you think. - by APPLE SCREWED UP

Defensive move(1:50pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)AOL buys netscape so they can sue MS for co-conspiring with AOL to bring netscape down. Caldera buys dr-dos so they can sue MS. etc. Now MS says it has IP on opengl, so watch who you're suing for what. Maybe companies shouldn't buy IP just to use as a club on other companies. Maybe there should be some restrictions on just how transferable stuff like that is. - by Robguy

It's about the Games(3:10pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)If I understand this correctly, id uses OpenGL to produce its games. Q3 timedemos are an accepted industry standard to benchmark cutting-edge hardware/software. M$ would love to have their games become the industry standard. If M$ put the squeeze on id with OpenGL licensing fees, and ruins id's sales of Doom III next year (M$ just announced today the release of PC for Halo in the first half of 2003), they can put id out of business. Then M$ can make one of their games a software/hardware-benchmarking standard, and put a competitor out of business. Hmmm…I bet future M$ OSs would always get great benchmarks then. - by The Vipper

Not Paying Attention?(3:24pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)I love the goobers who continue to yell and scream about how Microsoft and Intel are conspiring to take over the world, when MS & Intel have been fighting like cats and dogs lately, while the execs over at AMD have been dropping trou, bending over, and hanging “Welcome Microsoft!” signs off their tailbones. - by TeamNutmeg

The dark age started…(6:19pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)in '82. In, '88 our main/mini jobs started to evaporate. By, '92 if you weren't installing NT, your gone. The important point here is: DON'T BELIEVE M$! They've figured out that software vapor will not work with the xbox & must kill the competition to win. - by tech

What did you expect?(7:38pm EST Fri Jul 12 2002)Did you think that they were going to be nice? Did you think that they were going to use their money for good? The game industry will be affected by this because Quake-Family engines render with OpenGL.

I believe that Microsoft just wants to inhibit the only competing graphics API DirectX has. I believe that Microsoft wants to inhibit game and 3D development in general on other platforms. I have also heard rumors as far back as the 90's that MS was working on a 3D GUI.

Please don't support monopolies. They are truly bad for America. : (

As an American. I feel great shame for ever having used MS products–a situation that I am correcting. I also feel shame that that our government has not ended Microsoft yet. Do you think courts would render a guilty verdict for MS and type it up in Word? and log the entry in Excel? If MS has a monopoly, then why hasn't it be ended? I believe that Microsoft is partially responsible for hard times that have fallen on the IT industry.

We all make decisions, and as a American, one of the greatest devices I own is a United States Dollar, and what we do with our Dollars has a great effect. This is part of the mess that I too have chosen, but when I buy computer equipment I will no longer vote for MS.

With an even greater device, the real United States Vote. I will cast my one little vote–away from anyone that chooses not to admit the truth.

Does he let you work from home or do you have to drive in to campus every day? The campus in Redmond, that is..

And by the way, I'm one of the security guards at the campus. I don't have to like billy to take his paycheck. - by Unit One

Microsoft on the way out(2:18pm EST Sat Jul 13 2002)Don't worry, look at all the robber baron/monopolists of yor: Standard Oil, NCR, IBM, ATT–they all eventually fail. Microsoft's time is coming. It can wail and fight dirty, but its luck is running out and karma will dish them their just deserts. - by li'l less cnverstion

Microsft as a monoply(1:00am EST Sun Jul 14 2002)This is how Bill Gates got started in the computer industry. Walks up to IBM and says he has a program called DOS. IBM wants it, but BIll dosnt actualy have anything so he buys DOS from some guy who made it for a few thousand dollors and tinkers with it to make it his own. Sell its, makes money. Looks to Apple for the GUI, ripps it off and sells it over-seas on NEC and Toshiba.

Microsoft (granted) has come out with some really steller ideas, they operating systems (now) run quite will on the NT kernel, we can keep our computers on atlest 24 hours with out rebooting. I may not like Microsoft too much, but hey, I use there programs, I play with Direct-X, and I have an Intel Proc. If anyone wants to siwtch to Linux, or run Nuttscraper, go ahead, resort to being the cyber equvilent of amish (unless you actuly do open-source codeing) and enjoy the calculator and the pride you can feel by saying you have a “l33t *nix box” format it, and pop in a copy of something that is regarded as a standard. Big woop, your supporting Windows, I bet 70% of you dont even know what a regiserd version is!!

Anyways, Microsoft has to care about the “pleebs” aka “people” because as much as the company may think they are number one, as “Billy” always said 'It will only take one kid in there basement to take us down' *Enter Lindows* =)

Night Everone:- by Megalo

Abandon Ship!(1:48am EST Sun Jul 14 2002)>>>”Security Update 7-12-02 delivers a more secure Software Update service to verify that future updates originate from Apple. If you would prefer to download this manually from a secure Apple server you can download the package at “

MicroSoylent is PEOPLE! IT'S PEEEOPLE!!!!

(fyi that was *3 DAYS* between security flaw announcement and OS-vendor patch.) - by MacJedi

and then…(7:48am EST Sun Jul 14 2002)Wait for the day when they say that they have intellectual rights to XML, and that the 'M' is sooo obviously close the the letter 'M' in their name “Microsoft”, which is also capatalized that people should be paying them money.

I hate money grubbers! - by tom

MS(10:09am EST Mon Jul 15 2002)“Microsoft (granted) has come out with some really steller ideas, they operating systems (now) run quite will on the NT kernel, we can keep our computers on atlest 24 hours with out rebooting.”

Oh yeah? Then how come MS recommends you reboot your servers at least once a week?

I have supported Solaris, HP-UX, NT, 2000, XP, and my personal favorite – Linux. For ease of use and stabiliy, Linux is the way to go from a server perspective. I started using Linux in 1995 shortly after my first experience using Windows. I didn't begin using it so I could have a l33t box to run in my basement. The reason was and still is today – stability. MS definitely has nto contributed much to stability on the Intel platform. Anyone that says so is deluded and probably has never truly compared the two operating systems. Megalo (hehe) makes the comment that Linux users are the cyber equivalent of being Amish but he is completely incorrect. It's a cute attack but does not hold up. While MS finds it rather easy to eliminate the competition in the end user market they are finding it harder to hang on to the server market where things such as up time and product life cycle actually matter. Now, I will agree that there are many using Linux just because it is fashionable which means to me that Linux advocates are becoming more successful in the one area where MS is king – Marketing. To look down on those that adapt because of marketing is to also acknowledge that market saturation is the only reason you (Megalo) are using their products. I use their products as well – when necessary. Those moments of neccesity are becoming less frequent as the years pass I am happy to report. :) - by YeahWellBullocks

Topher…(10:29am EST Mon Jul 15 2002)“when OpenGL extensions are developed to dupliate technology designed for and developed by Microsoft (or whatever company they bought to own it), they have a right to protect their property.”

This is like saying anytime anyone comes up with a new idea, nobody else is allowed to develope a different product that does the same thing. Ridiculous! In that case, competition itself would be illegal.

- by JanJan

same old same old(11:45am EST Mon Jul 15 2002)Ever heard of capitalism? - by rigamonk

Bill's mom on IBM board(1:12pm EST Mon Jul 15 2002)When Bill was a young man, he approached IBM yes, but he didn't walk up to them. He got his mommy (who was on the board of IBM at the time) to do it. She said something like, “look what my son has for just for you.” The rest is history….- by Liz

OpenGL is nice and open, but DirectX actually has money backing it, and we're seeing many revisions with actual support… - by Godô

Not to mention…(4:36pm EST Mon Jul 15 2002)…that openGL will only do 3D… DX can do audio, input, network, etc and it's royalty-free…

We can all pretend that MS will charge for this in the future, but pu-leeze… this is how MS has become big in the past and will stay big in the future (similar to IE tactics…) (and lest we not forget piracy but that's getting off topic).

And DX will still be a Windows only tech, so OpenGL will have a long happy life with Mac/*nix platforms… well… at least a happy life… - by Godô

*nix and Windows(6:38pm EST Wed Jul 24 2002)YeahWellBullock – I agree in the fact that Linux is a very good operating system for thoughs who use it properly. I have used *nix before, and yes, it does have its advantages over Windows machines, however *nix just dosnt have the extended features and software compadibility that Windows does, and now that windows is “Becomeing” a viable network system (a lot of web-hosts use Linux and NT systems now, granted primarily NT) however the Windows OS is growing in popularity for small business and even larger businesses for its scaleability and compadiblity. *nix has alot of advantages, it is more stable, but MS is finaly getting that way to. Eliminating DOS and 16-bit processing fully has proven to be a good step. My XP machine has been on for a good month or so with no problems, and I'm installing and configuring many things on it. People dont have to listen, or agree, but this is my viewpoint, and my experiance. - by Megalo

The only way to defeat M$(10:47am EST Thu Jul 25 2002)The only way that Microsoft can be defeated would be for *everyone* to just stop buying Microsoft products. If it has M$'s name on it, don't buy it – if M$ buys or a company don't buy from them. If Microsoft develops a new technology, or lays claim to another type of technology, then ban that too.

We have to spark mass-confusion in the computer world so that Microsoft has no idea what people want. This whole *NIX, *BSD, and OSX-Mac thing is GREAT! If the few supporters out there can continue to confuse consumers then Microsoft will have NO CLUE what the consumer really wants.

Lets face it, most of the world are complete idiots when it comes to computers. They are like “lemmings” Microsoft, apparently, with it's HUGE money-pockets has been able to capture majority share of the computer industry for the past 10 years. This has simply been because Microsoft has successfully market products that with features and power that appeases nearly everyone.

WholsWe(10:20am EST Sun Jul 28 2002)Ahh.. The adolescant yearning to revolution. A big part in the develoopment of Lindows was that Microsoft was there. who do you think will make the big bucks if Microsoft vanishes? Linux, Apple, etc.

There is always a king.It is part of the human social dynamics. No revolution, no philosophy will root that out.

Reality ain'T no movie kiddo. Sometimes it is just plain, stale and it sucks.Microsoft makes big bucks and squashes as much at it can it's competitors. It isn'T something new, you know.

Kuddos to Mac OS X and lindows for providing remarkable solutions for ingoramus like me. - by DA

Fearful for OpenGL…(1:34am EST Tue Sep 03 2002)If OpenGL were (hypothetically speaking) to get the nix on Windows, what would really happen? Would you have ATI, NVidia, etc having to make seperate cards where the OpenGL version was nasty expensive? Or would there be an equal but opposite reaction where MS finally alienates enough people that they quit using their product?

How many times do they have to kick progress to the curb before people put them in check.

Maybe NVidia will come to the rescue with 'CG' – graphix programming from a graphix company… not some tard with a possum on his head that wants to be all things to all users. See for more on why DirectX should not evolve into 'The MCP' like that Chess program in 'Tron'.

You're right about one thing, 'DA' there is and ever shall be a king. It's not a problem that that king is Bill Gates. The problem is that that king is a misguided midget @$$hole with dreams of ruin the world. He's got enough already – but still insists on meddling in the computing affairs of everybody else. Bastardizing standards, buying and either killing or hacking up great warez that he couldn't have possibly dreamed up himself, and by and large stifling innovation because in truth he can't keep on on an even playing field.

One OS to rule them allOne OS to find themOne OS to bring them allAnd in the darkness bind them.

In the land of Redmond, where the shadows lie.c - by zerokelvin

PS – (1:52am EST Tue Sep 03 2002)for those who don't think M$ has bad intentions here – why the heck else did they pay $62M bux delux for the patents if they supposedly 'already had developed these competing technologies in DX'? If they already had it, why buy it?

PSS – I wasn't aware that ARB or SGI for that matter was in the habit of using M$ as a 'talent mine'. Did somebody on this list actually infer that not only did M$ innovate this killer skin engine technology but that SGI had to rob it from them to keep Hollywood in the latest SFX? Like, Dude, where's my car? - by zerokelvin

Stop complaining.(8:46pm EST Sat Jan 11 2003)Because of Microsoft, I now have a job that supports my 2 kids and pays for my house.

Standards are nothing to fear. They are the foundations on which you will create new products, and basiclly, its because of Windows that we can now sell enough software to support our company.

Forget about what Microsoft may or may not control. Take the tools that are available to you and create new products. Patent them if you please, and you will be protected when it comes time to defend _your_ work.

But, the fact is. If you do nothing. You will receive nothing !

People always believe current technology is all that will be. But, from what Iíve seen, technology simply allows you to achieve in 1 minute, what once took hours. Current 3D games and ray tracing is enough proof. C64 & Amiga emulators now run faster than the original hardware.

So, stop complaining and develop for the future and the future looks very bright.- by Derek

dfzsghzhfrth(11:16am EST Sun Feb 29 2004)- by drgsrhrthgfth

OpenGL video card versions(12:18am EST Wed Sep 08 2004)The special OpenGL versions of video cards are like that for professional use like CAD programs etc.

There alot more work on them and heavily optimized – with more pipe-lines etc.

DX has only just become fast enough to compete with OpenGL, but haven't you had support problems with older DX programs? thats because they have a less of a back compatibility. Unlike OpenGL, not a proble like that at all with its design. Where as DX redoes everything everytime.

Derek, as you said you work for Microsoft, sure I would too. But come on, the less open source and things to compete with MS is in the end bad, we end up with less tools to use to make those programs. Thats MS work at hand there.

And if they get rid of the extensions in OpenGL for future cards and programs, that means Mac, Linux will have crap all graphics, just the basic functions of OpenGL. So DX will be the only solution with Shaders etc(and that means no chance for Mac or Linux games with the best graphics)… anyway OpenGL 2.0 soon.

DX always has a odd feel about its rendering anyway, feels bland. - by Edward

Reader Comments

http://myspace.com/fleisch80 chris fleischer

although I think windows has the most cutting edge advances that goes with technology,

what good is it if your dam operating system crashes and goes down after only a few days of real use on the net,
or when or your important files are gone because windows has more holes in it than swiss cheese,

you know what, yes i think linux is not for everyone, and maybee direct x/3d games are better, but ill
take the other road tords unix/linux just so my damm pc is safe ,and i could enjoy what ever small amount of happiness linux brings
from its stability over microsoft,

its a sad fact, and not as fun as windows ,but at least your not gonna catch malitious crap that will make you more quarentined than a person with the deadliest of
std s .